Apparatus for aligning push rods
A cylinder head gasket (211) includes one or more alignment holes (301) and one or more drain-back holes (303) disposed in an area of the cylinder head gasket (211). One or more push rods (211) are extendable through the alignment holes (301). The one or more drain-back holes (303) are formed such that the one or more push rods (211) are incapable of fitting through the one or more drain-back holes (303).
This invention relates to push rod alignment, including but not limited to the use of a cylinder head gasket to align push rods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCylinder head gaskets are typically disposed between a cylinder block, also known as an engine block, and a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. Various fluids, such as oil, coolant, and/or fuel, may pass between the cylinder block and cylinder head. Cylinder head gaskets are known to provide a seal between the various parts of the cylinder head and cylinder block such that the various fluids do not mix.
In some internal combustion engines, push rods pass through the cylinder block and the cylinder head. The push rods also pass through the cylinder head gasket. A cylinder head gasket 100, such as shown in
Accordingly, there is a need for a reliable method of installing push rods in an engine, which method reduces the occurrence of misaligned push rods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA cylinder head gasket comprises one or more alignment holes and one or more drain-back holes disposed in an area of the cylinder head gasket. One or more push rods are extendable through the alignment holes. The one or more drain-back holes are formed such that the one or more push rods are incapable of fitting through the one or more drain-back holes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following describes an apparatus for and method of aligning push rods within a cylinder block with the use of a cylinder head gasket having a plurality of alignment holes. The drain back holes are formed such that the push rods cannot fit through them. The alignment holes may be advantageously formed such that the push rods fit through in only the correct orientation.
A cross-section of an engine showing a plurality of push rods extending through a cylinder head, a cylinder head gasket, and a cylinder block is shown in
A top view of a cylinder head gasket having alignment holes for push rods is shown in
A top view of inserts 305 and 307 for a cylinder head gasket are shown in
The alignment holes 301 may be advantageously formed such that the smaller end 203 of the push rods 201 is capable of fitting through the alignment holes 301, but the larger end 205 of the push rods 201 is not capable of fitting through the alignment holes 301. Such formation may be provided, for example, by selecting the size and shape of the alignment holes 301 appropriately. For example, the alignment holes 301 may be match the shape of the outer perimeter of the push rod 201 and have an opening that is larger in diameter than the main shaft of the push rod 201, but smaller than the larger end 205 of the push rod 201. The alignment holes 301 may be advantageously formed such that they are capable of providing a close fit to the outer diameter of the push rods 201, thereby leaving very little possibility that a push rod 201 could be dropped through an alignment hole 301 and into anything but the appropriate valve lifter 207 when the cylinder head gasket 211 and/or cylinder head 215 are assembled with the cylinder block 213.
The drain-back holes 303 are shown disposed near the alignment holes 301. Although the drain-back holes 303 are shown comprising of a plurality of partial rings disposed near each of the alignment holes 301, other shapes, sizes, and locations of drain-back holes 303 may also be successful. The drain-back holes 303 are advantageously formed such that neither end 203 or 205 of the push rods 201 fits through the drain-back holes 303. The drain-back holes 303 have openings that provide sufficient area through which a desired amount of oil is capable of passing at any particular time. As long as the push rods 201 are capable of fitting only through the alignment holes 301 and fitting through no other holes in the area of the alignment holes 301, such as drain back holes, mounting holes, and so forth, the push rods 201 will be properly aligned within the cylinder block 213, and as appropriate, with respect to the rocker arms and valve lifters 207.
A seal 405 or 505 is disposed or formed at or along the outer perimeter or edge of the structure 401 or 501. The seal 405 or 505 may be, for example, a molded rubber bead that is formed along the outer perimeter of the structure 401 or 501 and extends away form the structure 401 or 501 in both directions, as shown in the cross-sectional views shown in
The inserts 305 and 307 are attached to the body of the cylinder head gasket 211 with a plurality of tabs 407 by pushing the tabs 407 into and bending them around the body material, for example, in the way staples are utilized. The body of the cylinder head gasket 211 may comprised of multiple layers of materials, for example, a steel center, surrounded on each side by perforated steel core, with an outer layer of graphite on the outer surface of both perforated steel cores. Another example may be a perforated steel core surrounded by graphite on all surfaces. The tabs 407 may push through one or more layers, including all the layers, of the gasket 211. Alternatively, the inserts 305 and 307 may be welded, glued, or affixed in other manners that successfully provide the desired functionality.
The embodiment shown in
The present invention may be utilized in various types of engines, such as inline engines, L-type engines, V-type engines, gasoline or diesel engines, and so forth.
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for correctly orienting and aligning push rods within a cylinder block and cylinder head, and as appropriate, with respect to the rocker arms and valve lifters, during the assembly process through the use of alignment holes in a cylinder head gasket. Because the push rods are not capable of fitting through any other holes, such as oil drain-back holes, in the area surrounding the alignment holes, correct alignment of the push rods has a very high likelihood of success. Correct orientation of push rods is facilitated by appropriate forming of alignment holes. The present invention reduces assembly time, complexity, errors, and the need for repair or rework.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. a cylinder head gasket comprising:
- one or more alignment holes disposed in an area of the cylinder head gasket, wherein one or more push rods are extendable through the alignment holes;
- one or more drain-back holes disposed in the area of the cylinder head gasket, wherein the one or more drain-back holes are formed such that the one or more push rods are incapable of fitting through the one or more drain-back holes.
2. The cylinder head gasket of claim 1, wherein the area of the cylinder head gasket is part of an insert that is attached to a body of the cylinder head gasket.
3. The cylinder head gasket of claim 2, further comprising one or more tabs arranged and constructed to attach the insert to the body of the cylinder head gasket.
4. The cylinder head gasket of claim 2, wherein the insert is comprised of steel.
5. The cylinder head gasket of claim 2, further comprising a seal.
6. The cylinder head gasket of claim 2, further comprising a seal disposed outside at least one of the one or more drain-back holes.
7. The cylinder head gasket of claim 5, wherein the seal is comprised of a molded rubber bead.
8. The cylinder head gasket of claim 1, further comprising a seal disposed in the area of the cylinder head gasket.
9. The cylinder head gasket of claim 1, wherein the one or more alignment holes are formed such that a smaller end of one of the one or more push rods is capable of fitting through the one or more alignment holes and a larger end of the one of the one or more push rods is not capable of fitting through the one or more alignment holes.
10. The cylinder head gasket of claim 1, wherein the one or more push rods are capable of fitting only through any of the one or more alignment holes in the area of the cylinder head gasket.
11. The cylinder head gasket of claim 1, wherein the one or more drain-back holes are disposed near the one or more alignment holes.
12. The cylinder head gasket of claim 1, wherein the one or more drain-back holes are comprised of a plurality of partial rings disposed near each of the one or more alignment holes.
13. The cylinder head gasket of claim 1, wherein the one or more alignment holes are capable of providing a close fit to an outer diameter of the one or more push rods.
14. An apparatus comprising;
- one or more alignment holes formed in a structure for use with a cylinder head gasket, wherein one or more push rods are extendable through the alignment holes;
- one or more drain-back holes disposed in the structure, wherein the one or more drain-back holes are formed such that the one or more push rods are incapable of fitting through the one or more drain-back holes.
15. A cylinder head gasket comprising at least two alignment holes disposed in an area of the cylinder head gasket and capable of aligning at least two push rods with respect to a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine, and one or more drain-back holes disposed in the structure and incapable of permitting any of the at least two push rods to fit through the one or more drain-back holes.
16. The cylinder head gasket of claim 14, further comprising a seal disposed outside at least one of the one or more drain-back holes.
17. The cylinder head gasket of claim 16, wherein the seal is comprised of a molded rubber bead.
18. The cylinder head gasket of claim 14, wherein the one or more alignment holes are formed such that a smaller end of one of the one or more push rods is capable of fitting through the one or more alignment holes and a larger end of the one of the one or more push rods is not capable of fitting through the one or more alignment holes.
19. The cylinder head gasket of claim 14, wherein the one or more push rods are capable of fitting only through any of the one or more alignment holes in the structure.
20. The cylinder head gasket of claim 14, wherein the one or more drain-back holes are comprised of a plurality of partial rings disposed near each of the one or more alignment holes.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 2, 2003
Publication Date: Apr 7, 2005
Patent Grant number: 6913267
Inventors: Bradley Price (Joliet, IL), James Strepek (Lombard, IL), John Serio (Lake in the Hills, IL), Gary Svidron (Lemont, IL)
Application Number: 10/677,455